History

[tomsm44]

I've seen some outstanding knives and gotten a lot of great advice and inspiration since I joined this site last year.  Some of the knives that have interested me the most are the ones that are based on or inspired by historical knives.  I've also seen several people reference books that they have read on the history of knives and other edged weapons.  I've always enjoyed history, but I've never delved very deeply into this subject.  I would like to get anybody that is willing, to post some book titles that they think would make a good reference for somebody trying to learn more on the subject.  Also, just for fun, If anybody has any pictures of knives that they have built or collected that are based on/inspired by a historical design, or are an actual historical piece, please post them.  It'd be great to get a collection of great knives on one thread.  Also, please include a description of what inspired the knife.  Don't just put a bowie knife up and say it was inspired by Jim Bowie; give a specific brand/maker/time period/style/etc., such as Lin's Sheffield Bowie from a few weeks back. And don't limit it to bowies or "American" styles.  Lets see a little of everything.  I wish I could post a knife to start it off, but I'm not quite there yet as a knife maker.  Maybe I can revisit this thread in a year or two and add something of mine to it.

Regards,
Matt Toms

[4est trekker]

I volunteer at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park in Fort Calhoun, NE.  We're an 1820's site, and I get the privilege of working in the blacksmiths' shop from time to time.  Often we're working on repairing and manufacturing period hardware and implements such as hinges, lintels, door handles, nails, frizzens, steel fire strikers, fireplace cranes, etc.  We sometimes get the opportunity to work on period cutlery, such as the matching pair I forged below.  

The friction folder is centuries old and can be found in a relatively unchanged form in some of the very early Viking settlements right up to early America.  The classic straight razor is simply a variety of this basic design.  The examples below feature a Nessmuk-inspired blade.  This blade style is firmly traced to the late 1800's, although some speculate it wasn't a new invention.  As someone on here recently said (Lin, Karl, Lamey...?) there's probably not a new design under the sun that's 100% original.  Anyway, enough ramblin' I'm the goober on the left in the last picture.      


 

   

   

   

   

   

   

[Lin Rhea]

I think I'm going to like this thread.

[Lin Rhea]

This is one that I made based on a photo I saw somewhere on the internet. The knife was in a group photo and I studied it closely to get it as close as I could. It is a W&S Woodhead model reproduction. The W&S are William and Samuel (brothers). I deduced that the blade style was a standard design they made and used different handle styles to mix and match, as it were. They used coffin shaped handles with this blade and variations of that besides. This one in particular caught my eye and I had the itch to make it.

   
   

See it?
   

[Xander]

I don't have or have made any other than my modern interpretation of a sailor fixed blade rigging knife.  I am goung to make my own rigger soon, since I'm a rigger and ameture knife maker.

But my favorites have to be the Argentine Gouchos.  They pretty much paralleled American bowies in time and development, but with little to no influence from them.  A great article can be found here...

  http://www.vikingsword.com/ethsword/facon/criollo.html

Also, any of the books by David Darom highlight the modern masters destined to go down in history.  Truely wonderful books that make you stare in awe of the pinnacle of craftsmanship.

[Doug Campbell]

I've been partial to some of the old San Francisco knives for some time. Back in the early to mid 1800s San Francisco was so isolated there wasn't a lot of outside influences. The Bladesmiths of the day developed their own style. There are some beautiful pieces that I'd like to get into a little deeper some day. Anyway here is one I did for one of my Journeyman Smith Test knives. If I remember right it is 1084, nickel silver and fossil Walrus.
   
I don't recall what inspired this Spear Point Bowie I built a few years ago but I'm pretty sure it came from one of the Old books I'm always looking thru.
   

[Lin Rhea]

BTW, I'm liking that folder. Very nice job on it. Dont you just love your job?

[tomsm44]

Those are awesome guys.  Some great knives and some interesting information.  Those friction folders are outstanding.  I've always liked that simple but very functional design.  I've got an idea for something that would meet the criteria for this thread.  Maybe I'll get a chance to work on it in the next few months.  It'll be my first "big" knife.

Lets keep them coming.